WEATHER ALERT

Bomber Report

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea (left) said the final roster is beginning to crystallize behind starting pivot Zach Collaros (right) as the club looks to wrap the pre-season in Friday’s game against the B.C. Lions.

Confidence abounds as Bombers training camp wraps up

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:09 PM CDT

The physical and mental toll of more than a decade of CFL training camps has yet to dull the enthusiasm of Zach Collaros.

Even with the formal stages of training camp now in the rearview mirror, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback is already pining for a chance to fine tune a few things, although he’s also eager for what is on the horizon with the regular season just around the corner.

“It’s tiring being on your feet all day, but towards the end, it’s like, ‘Man, I do enjoy practice,’” Collaros said earlier this week. “You always want more and more reps of certain things and certain looks.

“A lot of those reps that you would get in training camp, you’ve got to figure out ways to visualize and maybe do on your own time because you can’t always rep them during the week. But it was a great training camp, a lot of fun.”

Advertisement

Advertise With Us

Weather

WEATHER ALERT May. 28, 6 AM: 14°c Windy May. 28, 12 PM: 25°c Windy

Winnipeg MB

16°C, Cloudy

Full Forecast

Bomber Report

AMBER BRACKEN / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo said he’s always been a big believer in taking the time to pass along knowledge to younger players on the roster.

Kicking it with the pros

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Kicking it with the pros

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Yesterday at 5:47 PM CDT

Sergio Castillo isn’t ready to pass the proverbial torch just yet, though the Winnipeg Blue Bombers star kicker is more than happy to be paying it forward as a mentor.

With 2026 draft pick Brady Lidster in training camp to get a taste of the pro game and show what he can do, Castillo has been enjoying the opportunity to show the youngster the ropes.

After all, it wasn’t that long ago when the shoe was on the other foot and Castillo was seeking advice from Matt Bryant during Atlanta Falcons training camp in 2014 or asking questions of Justin Medlock when he was with the Blue Bombers in 2015.

“I don’t think of myself as a veteran, maybe because I’m still a kid in my mind,” said Castillo, who at 35 is entering his 10th CFL season. “But I remember being that kid when (Justin) Medlock was here (in 2015), just constantly asking him questions. We all have a platform and there are going to be times when you’re going to be the one asking.

Read
Yesterday at 5:47 PM CDT

Bomber Report

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Dorian Singer made three catches for 59 yards and picked up 82 yards on three kickoff returns on Saturday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the opening pre-season tilt.

Singer a studious student for the Blue and Gold

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Singer a studious student for the Blue and Gold

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Dorian Singer is proud of his path.

For the Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver hopeful, those twists and turns included the decision to leave Minnesota for Arizona for his final year of high school football.

A two-way player that was turning heads as a receiver and safety, Singer felt the move would lead to more scholarship opportunities at a Power 5 school and the sacrifice was one he was willing to make — even if it meant his parents had to sign over legal guardianship to the Dampier family at the time.

“My journey is different from everybody else’s, which I love,” said Singer. “I take pride in what I do because I know it hasn’t been easy for me. The easiest way is to give up and I haven’t given up. I keep taking those steps forward to elevate myself.”

Read
Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / The Canadian Press files Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Ja’Kobe Clinton (left) impressed in the pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday, recording a pick six in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Clinton making strong case to be kept on Bombers roster

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Linebacker Clinton making strong case to be kept on Bombers roster

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Ja’Kobe Clinton’s path to the pros hasn’t been anywhere near as glamorous as his brother’s.

The aspiring Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker had to scratch and claw just to continue playing after high school. Then there’s his well-known sibling, former Pro Bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix — a two-time national champion at Alabama who was chosen in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.

He went on to play eight NFL seasons and made approximately US$20 million in career earnings.

“That set the bar way tremendously high for me. But like I tell everybody, we got two different roads and I kind of took the harder route,” Clinton told the Free Press after Bombers practice on Tuesday.

Read
Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (right) said he had only been around for one practice and had only taken one rep before then Toronto Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich threw him in to play his first pre-season game.

Bombers’ vets reminisce on their own pre-season debuts

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers’ vets reminisce on their own pre-season debuts

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Zach Collaros was thrown to the wolves in his first career pre-season game.

It was back in 2012 when the University of Cincinnati product was trying to break into the three-down league with the Toronto Argonauts.

He had only been around for one practice and received just one measly rep, and yet, then head coach Scott Milanovich tapped him on the shoulder and told him he was going into the game — a matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at the old Ivor Wynne Stadium — in the fourth quarter.

“It’s amazing these kids get all these reps now,” said the Blue Bombers quarterback with a grin earlier this week.

Read
Thursday, May. 21, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Nick Hallett (21) believes he has something to prove after feeling like he wasn’t as good last season with the Blue and Gold.

Bombers’ Hallett back with a chip on his shoulder

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Hallett back with a chip on his shoulder

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Nick Hallett was the last returning Blue Bomber to be offered a contract this off-season.

It looked like the club was moving on from the 32-year-old special teams ace when finally, a deal got done on Feb. 11.

Even though he had to wait the longest for it to be his turn, the defensive back from London, Ont., has no complaints. If anything, he understands why it might have gone down to the wire.

“I’m really happy to just be back on the team this year,” Hallett told the Free Press after Wednesday’s training camp session.

Read
Wednesday, May. 20, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Wide receiver Christian Fredericksen (left) said training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is ‘like a dream come true.’

Fredericksen not ready to say goodbye to the gridiron

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Fredericksen not ready to say goodbye to the gridiron

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are fortunate that Christian Fredericksen wasn’t discouraged by his first CFL free agent camp.

A year ago, the wide receiver from Rigby, Idaho, made the long drive to Seattle with his cleats and a $100 registration fee to attend an audition hosted by the B.C. Lions — an experience that proved less than ideal.

“It just felt like a cash grab,” Fredericksen admitted after Tuesday’s training camp session.

“About 80 per cent of the players there hadn’t played past high school. I was bummed because it didn’t matter how well I did.”

Read
Tuesday, May. 19, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers picked up defensive lineman Kemari Munier-Bailey from Birmingham, England, in last year’s CFL Global Draft.

Bombers’ Munier-Bailey looking to prove pro dreams possible to siblings back home

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Munier-Bailey looking to prove pro dreams possible to siblings back home

Zoe Pierce 5 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

A year ago, Kemari Munier-Bailey arrived at Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp trying to adjust to a new league, new coaches and a new country.

After spending most of last season on the practice roster learning the CFL game, the Global defensive lineman from Birmingham, England, enters camp this year in a much different position — competing to earn a roster spot.

Munier-Bailey smiled as he recalled watching games last season with teammates, saying the loud crowds and atmosphere at Princess Auto Stadium kept motivating him to push through another week.

“You’re still doing something great, you still started something great,” Munier-Bailey said of the mindset he tried to maintain while on the practice roster. “That’s how I was trying to look at it.”

Read
Friday, May. 15, 2026

Bomber Report

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive lineman Tui Eli (65) is gearing up for his sixth season with the club. Eli signed a two-year extension with the Blue and Gold this past off-season.

Only compliments from Bombers roster for offensive lineman Eli

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Only compliments from Bombers roster for offensive lineman Eli

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, May. 12, 2026

You’d think Tui Eli has the patience of a saint.

He’s been a Winnipeg Blue Bomber for five seasons, and yet, the Canadian offensive lineman has started just six games.

Instead of being a full-timer in the trenches, the University of Hawai’i product has been used as a reliable and versatile rotational piece — with zero complaints.

“He will, a lot of times, put other people first and he will always put the team first. So, if you ask him to do something, he’s not going to show any type of disappointment or anything like that — that’s his role and he will not only accept it, but do whatever he can to thrive in that role for everybody else,” said head coach Mike O’Shea after Wednesday’s training camp session.

Read
Tuesday, May. 12, 2026

Bomber Report

Ruth Bonneville Free Press De’Shaan Dixon, at Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp on Monday, is willing to accept any role that’s offered.

Dixon turning heads at Bomber camp

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Dixon turning heads at Bomber camp

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Monday, May. 11, 2026

You want to make a statement in training camp?

Just take a page out of De’Shaan Dixon’s playbook and steamroll the most decorated offensive lineman in CFL history in a one-on-one drill.

That’ll get people talking.

“I was surprised, but it’s all good,” admitted left tackle Stanley Bryant after Monday’s session. The rep in question occurred on Day 1 on Sunday.

Read
Monday, May. 11, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods . THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive lineman Kydran Jenkins sacks Montreal Alouettes quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson during CFL action in Winnipeg last October.

Jenkins ready for more football

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Jenkins ready for more football

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, May. 7, 2026

The game was meaningless in the standings but meant the world to defensive end Kydran Jenkins.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers rested the majority of their starters in last year’s regular-season finale at home against the Montreal Alouettes. That led to Jenkins — a promising prospect out of Purdue who had signed with the Blue and Gold two and a half weeks earlier —being thrust into a starting role.

“I kind of got thrown in the fire, but I ended up playing good that game,” said Jenkins, who was out of football for several months prior to that after attending Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp.

He certainly did. He had several pressures and managed to record his first career sack.

Read
Thursday, May. 7, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Quarterback Payton Thorne during the first day of Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie camp at Princess Auto Stadium on Wednesday.

Thorne has a backup plan

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Thorne has a backup plan

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, May. 7, 2026

If Payton Thorne has it his way, he won’t have much time for his Super Bowl MVP-winning friend this summer.

The 24-year-old quarterback from Naperville, Ill., hopes he’ll be too busy in Winnipeg as a member of the Blue Bombers.

Thorne, along with Terry Wilson, Taylor Elgersma and Bryce Perkins, are battling for the second- and third-string roles behind starting pivot Zach Collaros.

Thorne, a four-year college starter between Michigan State and Auburn, first got scouts talking in 2021 as a sophomore when he led the Spartans to an 11-2 record alongside star running back Kenneth Walker III.

Read
Thursday, May. 7, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Quarterback Bryce Perkins (9) said part of what drew him to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — aside from being friends with recently retired Blue and Gold darling Chris Streveler — was the atmosphere on game days.

‘Seeing how much the Winnipeg community gets around their football’

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

‘Seeing how much the Winnipeg community gets around their football’

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

Bryce Perkins isn’t taking the easy route.

The 2025 United Football League MVP and Offensive Player of the Year could’ve stayed down south and started somewhere in the spring league, but instead, the 29-year-old quarterback is in Winnipeg starting from scratch.

“My dad (Bruce Perkins, a former fullback) played for Hamilton, so he was telling me about the CFL. They love their football up here and that’s kind of what you want to play for,” said Perkins after Day 1 of Blue Bombers rookie camp at Princess Auto Stadium.

“I just felt like where I’m at in my career, for a career-wise goal in whatever these next couple years hold, I want to be a part of a league, a team, an organization that really gets behind football. It’s a longstanding league that loves ball, the guys are great, and it’s a fun, new challenge for me as well.”

Read
Wednesday, May. 6, 2026

Bomber Report

Christopher Katsarov / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira in a social media post: “Playoff football is supposed to be earned. If anything, grow the league by adding more teams… not the number of automatic spots.”

No disguising motive in CFL playoff change

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

No disguising motive in CFL playoff change

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

The CFL’s reasoning for changing its playoff format starting in 2027 boils down to one thing: money.

They’re not the first league in recent memory to squeeze more out of its post-season in search of higher revenue.

The NCAA is expected to expand its cash cow, March Madness, to 76 teams next season — a move many purists oppose. That comes a few years after it tripled the size of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12.

At the pro level, the National Football League (2020) and Major League Baseball (2022) each added two wildcard spots, lowering the bar for entry. The National Basketball Association took a different approach, introducing a play-in tournament in 2020 involving the No. 7 through 10 seeds to decide the final playoff spots.

Read
Friday, May. 1, 2026

Bomber Report

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira Ruth Bonneville / Free Press SPORTS - BOMBERS / Oliveira Brady Oliveira, The Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back, is excited after signing a three-year contract extension through the 2028 Canadian Football League season at the media conference Tuesday. See Tyler’s story Dec 16th, 2025

Oliveira not a fan of new playoff format

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Oliveira not a fan of new playoff format

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

Brady Oliveira is not a fan of the CFL’s expanded playoff format that will come into effect in 2027.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers star running back took to X on Wednesday to voice his displeasure.

“Eight out of nine teams in the Canadian Football League playoffs takes away from what makes those games special,” wrote Oliveira. “Playoff football is supposed to be earned. If anything, grow the league by adding more teams, not the number of automatic spots.”

Oliveira’s post was in response to one that was made by Milt Stegall, the Bombers legend/CFL on TSN media personality on Tuesday when the announcement was made.

Read
Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Decorated linebacker Adam Bighill was emotional Tuesday at Princess Auto Stadium as he officially hung up his cleats on his CFL career as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber.

‘Time flies when you’re having fun’: Linebacker Bighill closes chapter on CFL career in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

‘Time flies when you’re having fun’: Linebacker Bighill closes chapter on CFL career in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Adam Bighill opened his retirement press conference by speaking for nearly 15 minutes straight on his unlikely path to becoming one of the CFL’s all-time greats.

“I grew in small town Washington. I grew up with a cleft lip palate. I grew up with a chip on my shoulder. I grew up in a great family with great parents,” the 37-year-old began.

“And I grew up with a dream. At seven years old, I told my parents I wanted to play professional football. Back then, my favourite player was Jerry Rice, and I was just all in on what it was going to take to be a professional athlete.”

It was an uphill battle from the start, but Bighill always remained undeterred. He was a star running back and linebacker at Montesano High School, but it didn’t seem to matter — scouts and coaches had labelled him as too small and too slow to make it at the next level.

Read
Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

LOAD MORE BOMBER REPORT ARTICLES